Get set for the 311th edition of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager, the oldest boat race in the world
The 311th Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager is ready to write it’s next chapter and three rowers have thrown their hat into the ring to win the famous prize
Credit: 漏Chrysoulla.Photography
This Wednesday, the oldest boat race will return to the Thames for its 311th edition. Established in 1715, Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager is one of the longest-running sporting events in the world, and this year, three challengers are ready to write their names into the history books.
Making his fourth and final appearance in the race will be Coran Cherry on Station Two in Black, from Poplar, Blackwell and District RC.
Coran and his family have got personal ties with the race which go back to 2021. His first attempt at the race was that year, after it was postponed due to the global pandemic.
鈥淭he first attempt was when my son was born; he was premature,鈥 explained Cherry.
鈥淎fter that, I鈥檝e had it in me to finish it off and win it. He was born when I was at Blackfriars Bridge. They gave me notice as I was going afloat, but I thought, 鈥榃ell, I鈥檓 boating, I鈥檒l be quick!鈥 I couldn鈥檛 get my head in it at all, and it was painfully slow, but I finished it, finished fourth, but ever since, I鈥檝e had it in me to have another go and hopefully win.
鈥淢y son is called Blue because I competed in that colour as well.鈥
Over the course, they will pass under eleven of London’s most iconic bridges, racing upriver over 4 miles and 5 furlongs (7.44 km) between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier in Chelsea. The winner will be awarded one of the City of London鈥檚 most prestigious accolades: the Red Coat and Silver Badge.
27-year-old Charlie Milward, from Poplar, Blackwell and District RC, will row on Station One in White. Charlie started rowing recently and works as a High-Speed Master for Uber Boats by Thames Clippers.
鈥淲hen I was an apprentice many years ago, I said to my master, who was my cousin, that I鈥檇 promise to row the race if I finished my freedom,鈥 explained Milward.
鈥淚鈥檓 fulfilling a promise, and the more I鈥檝e trained, the more I鈥檝e fallen in love with the sport. This is my first attempt. It鈥檚 all very new and I鈥檓 quite raw, but we鈥檒l see how we go on the day.
鈥淚t would mean a lot to be a part of history and to say that I鈥檝e done it and participated in it. If I don鈥檛 win, then you鈥檒l see me next year!
In Blue, on Station 3, will be Jack Finelli of Medway Towns RC. He first raced Doggett鈥檚 in 2019, and this is the 27-year-old鈥檚 second attempt. He is also an amateur boxer and works as a Captain on tugs and workboats for CPBS Marine Services.
The oldest boat race in the world, Doggett鈥檚 Coat and Badge Wager, was established in 1715 and has now been contested by watermen and lightermen for more than 300 years, making it the oldest continuous race in any sport. Combining tough competition, heritage, and pageantry, the Doggett鈥檚 Wager is one of the UK鈥檚 most unique events, with winners going on to long careers on the water, and in some cases racing for Great Britain, or ceremonial duties for the Royal Family.
It is organised collaboratively by The Fishmongers鈥 Company and the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames. It is overseen by race Umpire Bobby Prentice, the Bargemaster to the Fishmongers鈥 and a former Doggett鈥檚 winner, who set the course record of 23 minutes 22 seconds in 1973.
Speaking ahead of this year鈥檚 race, Prentice had plenty of advice for all three competitors. 鈥淚 tell them all the time to concentrate on the course and not to go wide,鈥 explained the course record holder.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a long course; there are a lot of bends in the river, and the bends are wide down here. If they go wide, they can lose so much ground. They also need to be aware of obstacles on the course, which are buoys, mooring barges, and things like that. It鈥檚 important to give themselves plenty of room when crossing because we have had experiences in the past of scullers coming into barges, and I do emphasise that, and anything I see, I will warn them, but I always stress that I鈥檓 not steering them. I鈥檓 not telling them what course to steer; that鈥檚 up to them.
鈥淲hen I raced Doggett鈥檚, I had done a bit of junior rowing. I had won the junior championship singles. I remember hitting a small oil drum at Vauxhall, thinking, 鈥榃hat have I done?!鈥 I had a good race, and the conditions were fast, hence the time that it was.
鈥淚 think it means everything to me. It鈥檚 a great race. It鈥檚 a great experience for our apprentices coming up as freemen and rowing in the race. We鈥檝e all rowed on the Tideway and rowed at Heads of the River and so on, but this is a little bit different down here. It鈥檚 a bit deeper, a bit faster, and it鈥檚 tight going through the bridges, but it鈥檚 a great experience, a great race, and it鈥檚 been going on for over 300 years. We need to keep it going,鈥 he continued.
The 311th Doggett鈥檚 Coat and Badge Wager will take place at 12.15 on 10 September 2025.
